Inflatable container

ABSTRACT

An inflatable and deflatable cooler for holding articles such as ice, beverages and food items comprises an inflatable portion having inflatable vertically extending sidewalls and an inflatable bottom portion, the sidewalls and bottom portion being in pneumatic communication. The inflatable vertically extending sidewalls have upper edges that are fixedly connected to a rigid upper frame, and the inflatable bottom portion is connected to a rigid lower frame. The rigid upper frame includes a top surface and side surfaces extending down from the top surface forming a first cavity in the rigid upper frame. The rigid lower frame includes a bottom surface and side surfaces extending up from the bottom surface forming a second cavity in the rigid lower frame. An opening in the top surface provides access to the inflatable cooler when inflated. The side surfaces of the rigid upper frame abut the side surfaces of the rigid lower frame when the inflatable container is deflated, and the deflated sidewalls and deflated bottom portion become nested in the larger cavity formed by the first and second cavities. The inflatable container comprises air chambers disposed between two flexible panels, with flexible ribs extending between the panels to provide strength and integrity to the air chambers.

Generally, the present invention relates to inflatable and deflatable coolers or containers to enclose items such as beverages, food and coolants, such as ice. More particularly, the present invention relates to an inflatable and deflatable cooler that incorporates flexible and collapsible sidewalls attached to rigid upper and lower frames, the frames configured to provide a storage cavity for the flexible sidewalls when the cooler is deflated and the sidewalls collapse. The deflated cooler can then be readily transported or stored.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Inflatable and deflatable coolers and containers of various configurations are known in the art. These coolers are constructed to hold beverages and/or food items over a bed of ice so that the beverages are cool enough to drink when removed from the container, and the food in the container is kept fresh by the ice. Many such coolers available today are made of solid materials, such as PVC, foam, or the like, and are bulky when stored or transported prior to and after use. Several variants of inflatable coolers have been developed to allow the cooler to be deflated when not in use. However, none of the coolers represented in the prior art provide a rigid, integral storage and/or transport apparatus that captures the deflated cooler in a cavity of a rigid enclosure.

Additionally, the prior art does not disclose inflatable coolers having air chambers formed by opposing panels of materials such as PVC or the like, with flexible ribs extending between the panels to add strength to the side and/or bottom walls of the cooler when inflated, thus preventing ballooning of the sidewall or bottom air chambers.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,608,880 discloses an inflatable display or advertising cooler having a rigid cover and a rigid base. However, this patent does not suggest that the rigid elements could be configured to provide an integral transport and/or storage apparatus when the flexible portions are deflated. Nor does this patent suggest the use of ribs in the air chamber of an inflated cooler to provide strength and integrity to the walls and bottom of the container.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,091,852 discloses an inflatable collapsible box that has no components to provide a rigid transport and/or storage enclosure for the flexible container elements when deflated. Nor does this patent teach or suggest ribs in the air chambers to provide strength and integrity to the sidewalls and bottom of the box.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,390 also discloses an inflatable container, such as a bait bag, that lacks a rigid upper and rigid lower frame for forming a rigid container for the flexible elements of the container when deflated. Nor does this reference disclose an air chamber forming a wall in an inflatable container, wherein rib elements in the chamber provide strength and integrity to the sidewalls and bottom of the container.

In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable cooler or container that comprises integral rigid upper and lower elements that abut each other when the container is deflated to provide a storage enclosure for the flexible elements of the container.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable cooler incorporating flexible panels forming air chambers as structural elements when inflated, including ribs of a predetermined length extending between opposed panels in the air chambers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An inflatable and deflatable cooler for holding articles such as ice, beverages and food items comprises an inflatable portion having inflatable vertically extending sidewalls and an inflatable bottom portion, the sidewalls and bottom portion being in pneumatic communication. The inflatable vertically extending sidewalls have upper edges that are fixedly connected to a rigid upper frame, and the inflatable bottom portion is connected to a rigid lower frame. The rigid upper frame includes a top surface and side surfaces extending down from the top surface forming a first cavity in the rigid upper frame. The rigid lower frame includes a bottom surface and side surfaces extending up from the bottom surface forming a second cavity in the rigid lower frame. An opening in the top surface provides access to the inflatable cooler when inflated. The side surfaces of the rigid upper frame abut the side surfaces of the rigid lower frame when the inflatable container is deflated, and the deflated sidewalls and deflated bottom portion become nested in the larger cavity formed by the first and second cavities. The inflatable container comprises air chambers disposed between two flexible panels, with flexible ribs extending between the panels to provide strength and integrity to the air chambers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective review of the inflatable container of the present invention, shown in its inflated position and with the lid open;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inflatable container of the present invention in a deflated position, showing the rigid top and bottom abutting each other to form a rigid enclosure for the flexible portions of the container;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the inflated container of FIG. 1, taken along line 3-3;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the deflated container of FIG. 2, taken along line 4-4; and

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are perspective views of a collapsible retaining structure adapted to be inserted into the inflated container of FIG. 1, shown in a collapsed position, partially erected position, and fully erected position, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the inflatable cooler or container 10 of the present invention in its inflated configuration. Each of the sidewalls 12 of the cooler 10 comprise two spaced apart and adjacent panels 14, 16 (FIG. 2) made of flexible, durable material, such as PVC or like materials, forming an air chamber 20 between the panels 14, 16. The panels 14, 16 are fastened or welded at their top portions 18 to provide an air seal along the upper rim of each of the sidewalls 12. The vertically extending sides of each sidewall 12 are connected to an adjacent sidewall such that all of the air chambers 20 are pneumatically connected to form a single continuous air chamber between the panels 14, 16 forming each of the vertically extending sidewalls 12.

The bottom 22 (FIG. 2) of container 10 comprises a flat upper panel 24 and a lower panel 26. Panels 24 and 26 are spaced apart from each other a predetermined distance, forming air chamber 28 between panels 24 and 26. Both panels 24 and 26 are also comprised of a flexible, durable material, such as the same material from which panels 14 and 16 are constructed. Panel 24 is sealingly connected at its outer edges to adjacent vertical panel 16, and panel 26 is sealingly connected at its outer edges to adjacent vertical panel 14 as shown in FIG. 2, thus pneumatically connecting air chamber 28 with all air chambers 20 to form an integral inflatable and deflatable air chamber. The sidewalls 12 and bottom 22 form a compartment 11 into which beverages, food and/or a coolant may be inserted into container 10.

As seen in FIG. 2, the air chambers 20 and 28 include a plurality of flexible ribs 30 of a predetermined length and extending between and fixedly attached to panels 14 and 16, and between and fixedly attached to panels 24 and 26. If desired, ribs 30 may be omitted in the sidewall air chambers 20. The ribs 30 provide strength and integrity to the air chambers 20, 28 in which the ribs are placed, as described in more detail below.

The present invention includes an integral top and bottom structure that provides a compact, rigid and convenient storage and transport enclosure for the flexible container 10 when deflated and not in use. To this end, a rigid upper frame 32 (FIG. 1) is attached to the upper portion 18 (FIG. 2) of each sidewall 12. Upper frame 32 is made of a rigid material, such as ABS plastic or equivalent. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper frame 32 is in the form of a rectangle, and in particular a square. The upper frame 32, in other embodiments (not shown) will reflect the shape of the top portion 18 of the container, such as circular, oblong, or other shapes of containers known to those skilled in the art.

Upper frame 32 includes an opening 34 extending therethrough to provide access to the compartment 11 inside of container 10. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, upper frame 32 has a top surface 36 and a plurality of downwardly extending outer flanges 38 extending over the outer upper side of panels 14. Upper frame 32 also includes a plurality of inner flanges 40 that extend downward from top surface 36 of upper frame 32, such that flanges 40 and 38 define a groove 42 (FIG. 2) on each side of upper frame 32. The top edge 18 of each sidewall 12 is fixedly fastened, such as by welding, riveting, strong adhesive or other equivalent means, in groove 42, and thereby fixed to the perimeter of upper frame 32. The volume of compartment 11 formed between lid 44 and the lower extent of flanges 38 form a first cavity for purposes explained more fully below.

As stated previously, the upper frame 32 includes an opening 34. A lid or cover 44 is pivotally attached to one of the inner flanges 40 of upper frame 32 by a pivotal connection shown at 46 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Lid 44 pivots upward about connection 46 to provide access to the compartment 11 inside of container 10, and pivots downward to close the compartment 11. A suitable lip 48 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is provided around three sides of the inside perimeter of opening 34 in upper frame 32 to form a seat for lid 44 when the lid is pivoted to the closed position.

The bottom structure of inflatable cooler 10 comprises a lower frame 50 disposed directly beneath and supporting lower panel 26 of the air chamber 28 (FIG. 2). In addition, the outer surface of lower panel 26 is directly attached to the top surface 52 of lower frame 50. Lower frame 50 includes upwardly extending flanges 54 extending around the entire perimeter of lower frame 50, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, and partially upward along outer panels 14 of each sidewall 12. The volume of compartment 11 defined by bottom frame 50 and the upper extent of flanges 54 defines a second cavity for purposes to be explained below. Lower frame 50 is made of a rigid material, such as ABS plastic or equivalent material, to provide a rigid support for the container 10 when air chambers 20, 28 are inflated. Lower frame 50 also provides a suitable portion of a storage or transport enclosure for the flexible sidewalls 12 of container 10 when the sidewalls are deflated and upper frame 32 abuts lower frame 50 upon deflation of air chambers 20, 28, as will be explained in further detail below.

In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of handles 56 (FIGS. 1, 3) are fixedly disposed on opposite sides of upper frame 3 to permit easy carrying of container 10 when inflated and loaded with articles. In addition, a typical latch mechanism 58 (FIG. 1) is provided to releasably secure lid 44 to upper frame 32 when lid 44 is pivoted to its down, or closed, position. Additionally, a combination air intake and air outflow nozzle 60 (FIGS. 1, 3), as is known in the art, extends through an opening 62 in lower frame 50, and has one end providing access into air chambers 20, 28, which are all pneumatically interconnected.

To inflate the air chambers 20, 28 of cooler 10, nozzle 60 is attached to a source of pressurized air as is known in the art, and the pressurized air is introduced into air chambers 20, 28, thus inflating the cooler 10 into the shape shown in FIG. 1. The source of air pressure is removed when the air chambers 20, 28 are fully inflated. To deflate the air chambers 20, 28, the nozzle 60 is manipulated, as is known in the art, to allow air under pressure to escape the air chambers, thereby deflating the air chambers 20, 28 and collapsing cooler 10.

If desired, a drain hose (not shown) extending from the bottom 22 of compartment 11 to the outside of lower frame 50 may be provided to remove water or other liquids that may accumulate in cooler 10 during use.

In an embodiment, the cooler 10 of the present invention includes a collapsible reinforcing retainer generally designated by the numeral 64 (FIGS. 5, 6, 7) that may be either securely fastened or removably inserted through opening 34 and opened inside compartment 11. Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the reinforcing retainer 64 of the disclosed embodiment comprises an upper rim 66 of rigid material such as ABS plastic, wire or equivalent material and mimicks the shape of the upper extent of the compartment 11. Retainer 64 also comprises a lower rim 68 also composed of a rigid material such as ABS plastic, wire or equivalent. Lower rim 68 mimics the shape of the outer extent of bottom portion 22 of the inside compartment 11 of cooler 10.

Extending between rims 66 and 68 are a plurality of substantially identical bendable two-part collapsible struts or stiffening elements 70, each having a central pivotable and releasable locking mechanism 72 that is known to those skilled in the art. As an example, a typical locking mechanism 72 will automatically lock the upper and lower parts of stiffening elements 70 as shown in FIG. 7 when the two parts reach a co-planar position. To unlock stiffening elements 70, slight finger pressure is applied to the outside of each locking mechanism 72, forcing the mechanism 72 to allow relative pivotal movement of the two parts of stiffening elements 70, as shown in FIG. 6. Continued pivotal movement between the two parts of each stiffening element 70 will result in rims 66 and 68 abutting each other as shown in FIG. 5.

It is clear that when reinforcing retainer 64 is inserted into compartment 11 of cooler 10, and the retainer is moved to its position shown in FIG. 7, that the retainer 64 will supplement the strength and rigidity of sidewalls 12 of the cooler when air chambers 20, 28 are fully inflated.

To begin use of the cooler 10, a source of air pressure is applied to nozzle 60 (FIGS. 1, 3) to fully inflate air chambers 20, 28. When fully inflated, the air chambers expand and cooler 10 will assume the shape and configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. If reinforcing retainer 64 is already inserted into compartment 11, and if the upper rim 66 and lower rim 68 are attached to an upper portion of panels 16 and to the outer edges of bottom 22 of container 10 respectively, the retainer 64 will expand vertically from the position shown in FIG. 5, through the position shown in FIG. 6, and end up in the position shown in FIG. 7, with stiffening elements 10 automatically engaging into a locked position, as explained above. Also, as air chambers are filled with air, upper frame 32 moves vertically away from lower frame 50, as seen in FIG. 1. In the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cooler 10 is ready to be used by inserting and/or removing beverage, food and coolant items into or out of compartment 11 through opening 34 when lid 44 is opened. Handles 56 can be used to manually transport the cooler 10 to its desired location.

After the cooler 10 has been utilized, the present invention provides a novel enclosure for storage and transportation of the container 10. After removal of all beverages, food and coolant items from compartment 11, nozzle 60 is manipulated to release all of the air from air chambers 20, 28. As the removal of air continues, upper frame 32 moves lower as flexible sidewalls 12 collapse, until the lower lip 74 of outer flange 38 of the upper frame 32 abuts upper lip 76 of flange 54 of lower frame 50, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Referring to FIG. 4, as the upper frame 32 contacts lower frame 50, the sidewalls 12 of container 10 fold into cavity 78 (FIG. 4) formed by the first and second cavities of upper frame 32 and lower frame 50, respectively.

In the embodiment wherein reinforcing retainer 64 is inserted into or in place in compartment 11 during use of the inflated container, as air is removed from air chambers 20, 28, finger pressure is applied to the outer side of locking mechanism 72 (FIGS. 5, 6, 7) to pivot stiffening elements 70 into the unlocked position shown in FIG. 6. Continued deflation of container 10 and the corresponding movement of upper frame 32 towards contact with lower frame 50 results in reinforcing retainer 64 completely collapsing into the position shown in FIG. 5 while remaining inside the folded sidewalls 12 and inside cavity 78 (FIG. 4). Thus, the flexible sidewalls 12 of container 10 and the collapsible reinforcing retainer 64 are secured inside cavity 78 automatically when air is removed from air chambers 20, 28.

Once upper frame 32 contacts lower frame 50 as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the inflatable portions of container 10, as well as the collapsed reinforcing retainer 64 are securely nested in cavity 78. The upper and lower frames 32, 50, with lid 44 secured in a closed position via corresponding upper and lower latch elements 58, thus provide a rigid, yet relatively small storage package for the deflated containers. Latches 80 (FIGS. 3 and 4) releasably clamp upper frame 32 to lower frame 50 to form the rigid transport and storage enclosure. Handles 56 may be used to manually transport the rigid enclosure.

The foregoing description of an illustrated embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The description was selected to best explain the principles of the invention and practical application of these principals to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims set forth below. 

1. An inflatable and deflatable cooler for holding articles comprising: an inflatable portion having inflatable vertically extending sidewalls and an inflatable bottom portion, the sidewalls and bottom portion being in pneumatic communication; the inflatable vertically extending sidewalls having upper edges, the upper edges fixedly connected to a rigid upper frame; the inflatable bottom portion fixedly connected to a rigid lower frame; the rigid upper frame including a top surface and side surfaces extending downwardly from said top surface forming a first cavity in said rigid upper frame; the rigid lower frame including a bottom surface and side surfaces extending upwardly from said bottom surface forming a second cavity in said rigid lower frame; an opening in said top surface providing access to said inflatable cooler when inflated; said side surfaces of said rigid upper frame abutting the side surfaces of said rigid lower frame when the inflatable container is deflated, said deflated sidewalls and deflated bottom portion nested in said first and second cavities.
 2. The inflatable and deflatable cooler of claim 1 wherein said top surface comprises a lid pivotally hinged to said top surface adjacent said opening, said lid moveable between a first position closing said opening and a second position providing access through said opening.
 3. The inflatable and deflatable cooler of claim 1 including an air nozzle attached to and in pneumatic communication with one of said inflatable vertically extending sidewalls and said bottom portion, said air nozzle selectively providing air passage into and from said sidewalls and said bottom portion.
 4. The inflatable and deflatable cooler of claim 1 wherein said bottom portion comprises at least two adjacent panels forming an air chamber in said bottom portion, and ribs of a predetermined dimension flexibly extending between and attached to said at least two panels comprising said bottom portion, said ribs allowing the passage of air between said ribs.
 5. The inflatable and deflatable cooler of claim 4 wherein at least one of said inflatable vertically extending sidewalls comprises at least two adjacent panels forming an air chamber in said at least one of said sidewalls, and ribs of a predetermined dimension flexibly extending between and attached to said at least two panels comprising said at least one of said inflatable vertically extending sidewalls, said ribs allowing the passage of air between said ribs.
 6. The inflatable and deflatable cooler of claim 1 wherein said rigid upper frame comprises a first latch mechanism attached to an outer surface of said rigid upper frame, and said rigid lower frame comprises a corresponding second latch mechanism attached to an outer surface of said rigid lower frame, said second latch mechanism receiving said first latch mechanism when said inflatable container is deflated and said side surfaces of said rigid upper frame abut the side surfaces of the rigid lower frame, said first and second latch mechanisms releasably securing said rigid upper frame and rigid lower frame together to provide a rigid enclosure for transport and storage of the inflatable and deflatable cooler.
 7. The inflatable and deflatable cooler of claim 1 wherein said rigid upper frame includes at least two handles attached to the frame, said handles enabling manual transport of the cooler when the cooler contains items.
 8. The inflatable and deflatable cooler of claim 1 including a collapsible retaining structure disposed in said cooler, said retaining structure extending adjacent upper and lower portions of said inflatable vertically extending sidewalls.
 9. The inflatable and deflatable cooler of claim 8 wherein said retaining structure comprises a first upper rim extending in the shape of the upper portion of said inflatable vertically extending sidewalls, a second lower rim extending in the shape of the lower portion of said inflatable vertically extending sidewalls, said first upper rim and said second lower rim connected by at least one collapsible strut enabling said first upper rim and second lower rim to come together and be nested in said first and second cavities when said container is deflated.
 10. The inflatable and deflatable cooler of claim 9 wherein said at least one collapsible strut includes two stiffening elements, each stiffening element rotatably connected to one of said first upper rim and said second lower rim.
 11. The inflatable and deflatable cooler of claim 10 wherein each of the two stiffening elements forming the at least one collapsible strut are pivotally connected at a location midway between the distance between the upper rim and the lower rim.
 12. The inflatable and deflatable cooler of claim 11 wherein each of the two stiffening elements forming the at least one collapsible strut are releasably locked in a liner configuration when the cooler is fully inflated.
 13. An inflatable and deflatable cooler for holding articles comprising: an inflatable portion having inflatable vertically extending sidewalls and an inflatable bottom portion, the sidewalls and bottom portion being in pneumatic communication; at least one of said sidewalls and said bottom portion comprising at least two adjacent panels forming an air chamber in said at least one of said sidewalls and said bottom portion; and ribs of a predetermined dimension flexibly extending between and attached to said at least two panels, said ribs allowing the passage of air between said ribs.
 14. An inflatable and deflatable cooler for holding articles comprising: an inflatable portion having inflatable vertically extending sidewalls and an inflatable bottom portion, the sidewalls and bottom portion being in pneumatic communication; said sidewalls and said bottom portion forming a storage space to hold said articles, a collapsible retaining structure disposed in said storage space, said retaining structure extending adjacent upper and lower portions of said inflatable vertically extending sidewalls.
 15. The inflatable and deflatable cooler of claim 14 wherein said retaining structure comprises a first upper rim extending in the shape of the upper portion of said inflatable vertically extending sidewalls, a second lower rim extending in the shape of the lower portion of said inflatable vertically extending sidewalls, said first upper rim and said second lower rim connected by at least one collapsible strut enabling said first upper rim and second lower rim to come together and be nested in said first and second cavities when said container is deflated.
 16. The inflatable and deflatable cooler of claim 15 wherein said at least one collapsible strut includes two stiffening elements, each stiffening element rotatably connected to one of said first upper rim and said second lower rim.
 17. The inflatable and deflatable cooler of claim 16 wherein each of the two stiffening elements forming the at least one collapsible strut are pivotally connected at a location midway between the distance between the upper rim and the lower rim.
 18. The inflatable and deflatable cooler of claim 17 wherein each of the two stiffening elements forming the at least one collapsible strut are releasably locked in a liner configuration when the cooler is fully inflated. 